提高精子转染外源DNA效率的山羊精液冷冻方法

目的筛选一种既提高精子转染外源DNA效率,又保持解冻后精子活力的山羊精液冷冻—解冻方法。方法应用正交设计L9(34),因素分别为稀释液种类、稀释比例、降温时间和解冻液,每个因素选择3个水平,检测和比较解冻后精子转染外源DNA效率和精子活力。结果所选冷冻—解冻各因素对精液转染效率影响不显著[F(8,18)=1.032,P=0.449];平衡时间对冷冻—解冻活力影响极显著[F(2,24)=9.972,P=0.001],平衡1h极显著小于平衡2 h和4 h的精液活力(P=0.003,P=0.000),以平衡4 h最好。用筛选的冷冻—解冻方法处理精液,解冻后精子的活力极明显降低(P=0.002);生存指数降低,GOT释放量增加,菌落数减少,与鲜精相比差异显著(P=0.018;P=0.016;P=0.018);精子畸形率增加,顶体完整率降低,与鲜精相比差异不显著(P=0.494;P=0.084)。结论优化了提高精子转染外源DNA效率的山羊精液冷冻—解冻方法。     

精子因素对精子载体法制备转基因山羊的影响

精子具有主动结合、转运、整合外源DNA的能力,并在受精时导入卵母细胞,获得转基因动物.精子介导基因转移(sperm-mediated gene transfer,SMGT)是目前获得转基因动物简单而高效的方法之一.精子因素是影响SMGT方法生产转基因动物的重要方面.本论文结合我们的研究针对转染用山羊(Capra hircus)精液的来源、精子质膜完整性、精液品质及发育阶段等精子因素影响精子结合外源DNA和SMGT方法生产转基因山羊的效率进行了论述,并从这些影响因素入手,提出了筛选精子供体、保持精液品质、调控质膜等措施,提高精子转染外源DNA能力和生产转基因动物的效率.     

山羊精子结合和内化外源DNA的特征及影响因素

外源DNA与精子相互作用后的定位及内化率是精子载体法制备转基因动物的关键环节.实验以标记的DNA片段为示踪材料,就精子与外源DNA相互作用的基本特征及影响因素进行了研究.结果表明:山羊精子可自发性结合外源DNA,外源DNA最初结合于顶体后区质膜外表面,随后部分内化进入细胞内.精子对外源DNA的结合和内化能力随供体的不同而差异明显,在实验所检查的35只公羊中,结合率(DNaseⅠ消化前)波动于4.6%～62.4%,内化率(DNaseⅠ消化后)波动于2.1%～53.8%,个体间差异显著(P<0.01).对于同一供体的精子而言,阻止DNA结合的最主要因素是精浆,与射出的原精液相比,洗涤后精子的结合率和内化率分别提高了3倍和5倍;其次精子获能也将导致结合率和内化率降低(P<0.01).死精子不能完成外源DNA的内化过程,但反复冻融导致质膜破裂的死精子具有更高的结合率,而且阳性率与动物个体无关.上述结果提示,筛选合适的精子供体,采用优化的转染处理方法是提高精子载体方法效率的前提和保证.     

精子介导外源DNA转基因技术

转基因技术在现代生命科学研究、药物开发、临床治疗、遗传育种等方面发挥重要作用.精子介导转基因技术(sperm-mediated gene transfer,SMGT)是以精子细胞为载体,携带外源基因进入卵细胞受精,从而获得转基因动物.该文回顾了SMGT的历史发展,简述了SMGT的分子机制,包括外源DNA与精子的相互作用...     

山羊精子结合外源DNA能力的年龄及品种依赖性

本文应用正交设计L16(44),优化精子和外源DNA处理条件;用建立的方法转染1-4岁川东白山羊和波南F1公羊、2岁波尔山羊和南江黄羊公羊共149只,用原位杂交法检测精子结合外源DNA的效率,比较不同品种、年龄的山羊(Capra hircus)精子结合外源DNA的能力。结果显示川东白山羊1岁时的阳性精子率为39.34%±13.76%,4岁时降为23.40%±19.37%,与1岁和2岁时相比,差异显著;南江黄羊的阳性精子率最高,波尔山羊最低;并筛选到一种山羊精子和外源DNA处理方法。表明实验山羊的精子结合外源DNA的能力有随着年龄的增长而减少的趋势,并表现出品种间差异。     

外源基因对精子的影响及其在山羊早期胚胎中的表达

摘要: 在前期实验中发现, 山羊精子可自发结合外源DNA, 但结合能力在不同动物个体之间差异显著。挑选结合能力明显不同的3只公羊, 进一步探讨了外源DNA对精子的影响及其在早期胚胎中的表达, 结果发现: 外源基因与精子共同孵育后, 精子的活率、顶体反应发生率和受精能力均呈下降态势, 其降幅与精子的结合能力密切相关。利用与DNA共育后的精子进行体外受精, 外源基因可被导入卵母细胞并在早期胚胎中获得表达, 但胚胎阳性率因精子供体不同而差异显著(P<0.05); 其中来源于高、中结合能力供体生产的胚胎, 分别有16.2%(25/154)和5.3%(4/76)可检测到外源基因存在, 但表达仅见于高结合能力供体生产的早期胚胎, 表达率为6.5%(10/154); 低结合能力供体生产的胚胎无外源基因。研究表明, 在以精子载体方法生产转基因动物的实验过程中, 筛选对DNA结合能力较强的精子供体是提高转基因效率的前提, 但需要考虑外源DNA对精子受精能力的影响。     

精子结合外源DNA的特征及影响因素

外源DNA与精子相互作用后的定位及内化率是精子载体法制备转基因动物的关键环节。实验以标记的DNA片段为示踪材料,就精子与外源DNA相互作用的基本特征及影响因素进行了研究。结果表明：山羊精子可自发性结合外源DNA,外源DNA最初结合于顶体后区质膜外表面,随后部分内化进入细胞内。精子对外源DNA的结合和内化能力随供体的不同而差异明显,在实验所检查的35只公羊中,结合率（DNaseⅠ消化前）波动于4.6% ~ 62.4%,内化率（DNaseⅠ消化后）波动于2.1% ~ 53.8%,个体间差异显著（P<0.01）。对于同一供体的精子而言,阻止DNA结合的最主要因素是精浆,与射出的原精液相比,洗涤后精子的结合率和内化率分别提高了3倍和5倍;其次精子获能也将导致结合率和内化率降低（P<0.01）。死精子不能完成外源DNA的内化过程,但反复冻融导致质膜破裂的死精子具有更高的结合率,而且阳性率与动物个体无关。上述结果提示,筛选合适的精子供体,采用优化的转染处理方法是提高精子载体方法效率的前提和保证。     

猪卵母细胞体外成熟与冷冻附睾精子的体外受精

由屠宰母猪卵巢分离得到505枚卵母细胞,经成熟培养,其中468枚卵丘细胞扩张,成熟率为92.7％。采用冷冻的附睾精子授精,受精率为41.9％(57/136),其中单精受精率36.8％(50/136),多精受精率5.1％(7/136)。授精卵体外培养24和48小时后的卵裂率分别为5.3％(15/258)和12.9％(30/232)。把35枚早卵裂期胚胎和250枚未见卵裂的1-细胞期受精卵移入4头受体母猪的输卵管内,其中2头妊娠,分别于1990年4月10日和29日正常分娩,共生产仔猪21头。     

精子介导法生产转基因牦牛杂种胚胎的研究

研究外源DNA转染对牦牛精子体外受精(IVF)、早期胚胎发育以及绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因在早期胚胎表达的影响。用构建融合人乳铁蛋白基因绿色荧光蛋白表达载体(pAcGFP1-hLF)转染的牦牛精子IVF黄牛卵母细胞,生产的胚胎在荧光显微镜下观察GFP表达情况。结果显示,用环形质粒、线性质粒pAcGFP1-hLF转染的精子及未转染精子IVF后的卵裂率分别为56.4%、54.8%和61.0%,线性转染的囊胚率显著低于环形转染(17.7%与35.7%)。环形质粒转染的精子用DNaseⅠ消化、不消化及未转染的精子IVF后卵裂率分别为44.8%、55.2%和56.3%,囊胚率分别为33.3%、33.3%和30.2%。未经DNaseⅠ消化洗涤的环形质粒组GFP胚胎阳性率显著高于线性质粒组(99.3%与76.6%);DNaseⅠ消化组GFP胚胎阳性率极显著低于不消化组(25.4%与99.3%)。结果表明,用环形质粒DNA转染牦牛精子不会影响其受精及早期胚胎发育能力,但DNaseⅠ消化洗涤显著降低GFP胚胎阳性率。     

以精子为载体的体外转基因猪胚胎研究

去精清精子与外源DNA共孵育,使其携带外源DNA,再与成熟卵母细胞进行体外受精,生产转基因猪胚胎,为通过胚胎移植生产转基因猪奠定基础。结果:通过PCR从不同时期胚胎中检测出携带外源DNA的阳性胚,说明精子与外源DNA共孵育能使精子携带外源DNA,并通过体外受精技术使外源DNA进入早期胚胎。     

Effect of sericin supplementation on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression,redox status and post thaw semen quality in goat

Cryopreservation results in substantial deterioration of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and ultra-structural changes in sperm organelles, resulting in a marked reduction in post-thaw semen quality. The present study was aimed to explicate the effect of sericin supplementation on expression profile of HSP70, redox status and post-thaw semen quality in Barbari goat. Five Barbari bucks were used to collect thirty semen ejaculates by using artificial vagina and each ejaculate was divided into three aliquots to which sericin was supplemented at 0% (Control), 0.25% (T1) and 0.50% (T2). Further, extended semen samples were equilibrated followed by their cryopreservation. Post-thaw semen characteristics, redox status of seminal plasma, enzyme leakage and HSP70 gene/protein expression in spermatozoa were assessed in all the groups. Per cent progressive motile spermatozoa, spermatozoa having intact plasma membrane (HOST + ve) and intact acrosomes in post-thaw spermatozoa were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T1 and T2 as compared to control. A significant (p < 0.01) reduction in abnormal spermatozoa was found in T1 as compared to T2. Sericin supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the antioxidative status (SOD, GST, CAT), reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA) and also prevented enzyme (ALT, LDH) leakage as compared to control samples. qRT-PCR results revealed that HSP70 mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.01) upregulated in T1 and T2 group as compared to control. The positive effect of sericin on expression of HSP70 was further confirmed by immunoblotting followed by densitometry revealing higher expression in T1 and T2 compared to control. Inclusion of 0.25% w/v sericin in semen extender ameliorated the post-thaw semen quality by improving antioxidative status and minimizing the leakage of intracellular enzymes. Sericin supplementation had a beneficial effect on HSP70/HSP70 mRNA expression either by induction or by protection of HSP70/HSP70 mRNA as evident from the gene expression and immunoblotting studies.     

Effect of substituting different concentrations of soybean lecithin and egg yolk in tris-based extender on goat semen cryopreservation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL; 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) and egg yolk (EY) in Tris-based extenders on the semen quality parameters of post-thawed goat semen. Sixteen ejaculates were collected from eight healthy, mature Chongming White goats (3–5 years of age). Each ejaculate was divided into five equal aliquots, and then each pellet was diluted with one of the five Tris-based extenders containing 20% EY, 0.5% SL, 1% SL, 2% SL, or 3% SL. The cooled diluted semen was loaded into 0.5 mL polyvinyl French straws and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen samples were thawed at 37 °C and assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, and mitochondria integrity, and the spermatozoa were assessed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The semen extended in the 2.0% SL extract tended to have a higher sperm viability (57.44%), motility (52.14%), membrane integrity (45.31%), acrosome integrity (52.96%), and mitochondrial activity (50.21%) than the other SL-based extender concentrations (P < 0.05). The 2.0% SL treatment group was equivalent to the semen extended in 20% EY (P > 0.05). The extenders supplemented 20% EY or 2.0% SL significantly increased the SOD activity and decreased the ROS and MDA activities compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the extenders supplemented with 20% EY and 2.0% SL had similar effects on spermatozoa preservation. These results indicate that a soybean lecithin-based diluent may be used as an alternative extender to egg yolk for the cryopreservation of goat semen.     

Reduced glutathione content in human sperm is decreased after cryopreservation: Effect of the addition of reduced glutathione to the freezing and thawing extenders

In this study, total glutathione content was determined in human spermatozoa before and after cryopreservation. Total GSH in fresh semen was 4.47 ± 0.46 nmol/10⁸ cells. Following semen cryopreservation, GSH decreased to 1.62 ± 0.13 nmol/10⁸ cells, a 64% reduction (p < 0.01). This decrease in GSH content was associated with a decrease in sperm progressive motility (68% of reduction, p < 0.01). Addition of 1 mM GSH to the freezing extender increased the percentage of total motility and sperm viability. It also modified the motility pattern measured by CASA with changes in the straight-line and average path velocities and wobble of the curvilinear trajectory. Addition of GSH to the freezing media reduced spermatozoa ROS levels and increased the level of sulfhydryl groups on membrane proteins. Nevertheless, no effect of GSH addition on lipid membrane disorder or chromatin condensation was detected. Addition of 1 or 5 mM GSH to the thawing media increased the percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa, but no effect on viability was detected. In conclusion, the antioxidant defensive capacity of the GSH is severely altered by the freeze–thawing process. The addition of GSH to the freezing and thawing extender could be of partial and limited benefit in improving the function of frozen human spermatozoa.     

Effect of PVP on sperm capacitation status and embryonic development in cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on sperm capacitation status and embryonic development in cattle (Bos taurus). Acrosome-reacted sperm (chlortetracycline stain) and the fertilization rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were enhanced (P < 0.05) when sperm were cultured in a medium containing 10% PVP. However, injection of bovine in vitro–produced (IVP) embryos with medium containing 10% PVP suppressed development of these embryos to the 2-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages and cell number at the blastocyst stage (P < 0.01) but did not affect chromosomal integrity (P > 0.05). Embryo developmental capacity differed (P < 0.01) among PVP from three suppliers, but there were no significant differences among three solvent media. The PVP remained localized in 40.9% of PVP-injected IVP embryos. In conclusion, PVP affected the acrosome reaction and enhanced the fertilization rate after ICSI. However, PVP remained detectable in IVP embryos and suppressed their developmental capacity.     

Effect of storage of domestic cat (Felis catus) epididymides at 5 °C on sperm quality and cryopreservation

Postmortem sperm recovery from the epididymides may constitute a powerful tool for the conservation of valuable genetic material. The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a good model for wild felids and, using this model, we have explored the effect of epididymides storage time on sperm motility and percentage of intact acrosomes upon sperm recovery and after cryopreservation. We also examined the effect of time of sperm equilibration with glycerol before freezing on sperm motility and the percentage of intact acrosomes. Motility varied between sperm recovered from epididymides that were stored for different times. Significant differences were seen in the sperm motility index (SMI) before freezing (55.91 ± 2.02, 48.21 ± 1.47, and 43.03 ± 1.32) and after thawing (51.81 ± 3.02, 41.90 ± 2.14, and 42.35 ± 1.95) of sperm recovered from epididymides stored for 0, 48, or 72 h, respectively. The percentage of intact acrosomes did not vary significantly with storage time (average 60.33 ± 1.38% before and 52.50 ± 1.91% after freezing, respectively). The percentage of normal sperm after different storage times did not differ (average 19.22 ± 1.25% normal sperm after recovery). When epididymides were stored for 72 h, time of sperm equilibration with glycerol (30 vs. 120 min) resulted in significant differences in both motility (SMI = 39.17 ± 2.76 and 45.00 ± 2.65, respectively) and the percentage of intact acrosomes (45.76 ± 4.91% and 60.67 ± 3.64%, respectively) after thawing. In conclusion, best results are achieved when sperm are recovered from epididymides within 24 h of cool storage and when they are equilibrated with glycerol during 120 min before freezing. The current results should be useful in the further development of techniques for the rescue and cryostorage of epididymal spermatozoa of endangered felids.     

Biochemical characterization and epididymal localization of the maturation-dependent ram sperm surface antigen ESA152

We examine here the biochemical properties and epididymal localization of a maturation dependent ram sperm surface antigen. A monoclonal antibody, ESA152, identifies an antigen that is present on the surface of ejaculated sperm, but is absent from testicular sperm. Crosslinking of the ESA152 antigen with bivalent antibodies induces the acrosome reaction, redistributing the antigen into the anterior region of the sperm head where it associates with the fusion product of the plasma membrane and the outer acrosomal membrane. The ESA152 antigen appears as a polypeptide of 18 kDa on immunoblots of SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The ESA152 epitope includes the sialic acid termini of N-linked oligosaccharides, as shown by its sensitivity to neuraminidase and endoglycosidase F. The ESA152 antigen is a highly hydrophobic integral membrane protein that resists aqueous extraction, partitions into the detergent phase of Triton-X-114, and solubilizes in chloroform-methanol mixtures. The anchoring of ESA152 is unaffected by phosphtidylinositol specific phospholipase C. The antigen is absent from extracts of caput and corpus epididymidis but appears abruptly in the first segment of the cauda. Immunofluorescence reveals that the ESA152 epitope first appears in clusters of cells in the luminal epithelium of the proximal cauda, prior to or concurrent with its appearance on sperm. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of cryopreservation on phosphatidylserine translocation, intracellular hydrogen peroxide, and DNA integrity in canine sperm

Evaluating cryoinjury of canine spermatozoa is crucial to improving the probability of fertilization. Recently, studies on sperm ROS production, phospholipid scrambling, and DNA damage induced by cryopreservation have been reported. However, the consequences of cryopreservation on these crucial factors are lacking with respect to canine semen. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of the freezing-thawing procedure on these factors in canine semen. Ejaculates from five dogs were cryopreserved and thawed. Spermatozoa before and after a freezing-thawing process were assessed for phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation (Annexin V [AN]/propidium iodide [PI] assay), intracellular H₂O₂ level (dichlorofluorescein [DCF]/PI assay), DNA integrity (sperm chromatin structure assay), and conventional sperm parameters. The freezing-thawing process decreased motility, viability, normal morphology, and membrane integrity in canine sperm (P < 0.05). The frozen-thawed semen also showed a decrease in AN−/PI− sperm (%) and an increase in the PS translocation index, the intracellular H₂O₂ level in the viable sperm fraction, and the DNA fragmentation compared with that of fresh semen (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the freezing-thawing procedure significantly affects PS translocation, the intracellular H₂O₂ level, and DNA integrity in canine semen, which may explain the lower fertilization rate and in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome when frozen-thawed spermatozoa are used. It is therefore recommended that these parameters be used as an additional parameter for the assessment of sperm quality after freeze-thawing in canine semen.